Express MD1 Satellite

A Russian Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage is to launch the Express AM44 and Express MD1 tele-communications from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on the 11th February, 2009, at 00: 30 GMT (03:30 msk).

A Proton rocket has successfully launched the Express AM44 and Express MD1 communications satellites from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 00:03 GMT Wednesday (3:03 a.m. msk).The satellites entered orbit at 09:29 GMT.The 2,500 kilogram Express AM44 satellite, built by ISS Reshetnev, will replace the Express-A3 satellite and operate in a geostationary orbit at 11 degrees west.The 1,100 kilogram Express MD1 satellite, built by Khrunichev, with a Thales Alenia payload, weighed about at launch and will operate at the 80 degrees east orbital position.